Dargaville wearable arts extravaganza stuns crowds of hundreds

Kerikeri's Isa Hackett won the Living Off the Land category with her Shepherd of Dreams entry. Photo/ Supplied

The stage has been set for future success after the inaugural wearable arts show in Dargaville.

The 2017 Dargaville wearable arts extravaganza, which was hosted by the Dargaville Arts Association, was held over two nights at the Dargaville Town Hall.

Producer Cheryl Carmichael said the event was spectacular.

"I always planned a top-end show that was going to have the audience left with their mouths stunned and that's what happened."

She said both shows were sold out, with 300 people attending each night.

This was the first time the event has been held, with firm plans for it to become an annual event.

Ms Carmichael said it was always about nailing the first show as it would promote and inspire entrants for next year.

She said nobody was expecting the level of professionalism of the show and the top calibre of designers.

"The designs they presented were show-stoppingly spectacular."

Ms Carmichael said she was very pleased with the event, and proud of everyone involved.

There were 34 entries from all over Northland. Friday night was the full show while the award winners were announced after the full show on Saturday.

There were four category winners, plus an overall supreme winner for Year 6,7 & 8, overall supreme award and a people's choice award.

The winners and runners up took home cash prizes and highly commended got vouchers and products from sponsors. The awards were all hand-sculpted by local artists.

In the Living Off the Land category, Isa Hackett's Shepherd of Dreams was first, Eve McCabe's Tane was runner up and Georgiie Mare's The Power of Strength was highly commended.

Sharnie Patterson claimed top spot in the Moananui category with Oceana.

Emma Phillips was runner up with Spirit of the Kaipara and Sarah Tittleton was highly commended with Jewels of the Ocean.

Sheree Houston was victorious in the Our Natural Environment category with her Mother Nature piece.

Viv Christensen's Alice was the runner up and Eve McCabe's Mother was highly commended.

In the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle category, Megan Pitchforth and Margaret Rasmussen's Queen of Rolls came out on top.

Maggie Wistrand was second with Hanging Around and Terry Haines' Lily was highly commended.

The Queen of Rolls also took out the overall award.

The overall supreme winner for Year 6, 7 and 8 was Emma Phillips with her Spirit of Kaipara entry.

Sharnie Patterson was the runner up and Nolan Tahu was highly commended.

The people's choice winner was Jackie Butterworth with Life's a Picnic.

Charmaine Soljak from the Hits Northland was the MC for the event.